Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Arpeggio · 4-string · Root on E string, 2nd fret

G♭ Augmented Triad

G♭B♭D

Whole neck Left-handed

RootChord toneDefining note (♯5): what sets this arpeggio apartThe same notes elsewhere on the neckNumbers are scale degrees (1 is the root)

Tab & notation

Up and back down · 6 notes in 8th notes · 1 bar of 4/4 Bass clef

Note

Deg

Fing

G♭

B♭

♯5

G♭

♯5

B♭

How it's built

Intervals between chord tones

G♭1Root

B♭3Major 3rd

D♯5Augmented 5th

G♭8Octave

Two major 3rds stacked. It divides the octave evenly, so the same shape repeats every four frets.

Also called: 1 · 3 · ♯5
Use it over: Augmented chords and passing chords between I and IV.
Practice tip: Slide the whole shape up four frets and you get the same three notes again.
Your best: Complete a loop to log a tempo for this pattern.

Practice routine

One-bar count-in

Speed builder

Add BPM every loops, up to BPM

Move through keys

every loops

Cycling 4ths is how jazz players drill a shape in all twelve keys.

Memory mode: hide the tab and fingering after the first loop Small speakers: play the bass an octave higher

Bass Click Drone Chords Drums

How to play the G♭ augmented triad on bass

The G♭ augmented triad has 3 notes: G♭, B♭ and D. Two major 3rds stacked. It divides the octave evenly, so the same shape repeats every four frets.

Interval steps: M3 M3 M3. Formula: 1 3 ♯5.

The root, G♭, is on the 2nd fret of the E string and the 9th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 7th fret of the low B string.

G♭ Augmented Triad tab: root on the E string

Start on the 2nd fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 4 without moving your hand.

G|---------|
D|-----0-4-|
A|---1-----|
E|-2-------|

Notes: G♭ B♭ D G♭
Fingers: 2 1 open 4

G♭ Augmented Triad tab: root on the A string

Start on the 9th fret of the A string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 8 to 12 without moving your hand and 1 one-fret stretch.

G|--------11-|
D|---8-12----|
A|-9---------|
E|-----------|

Notes: G♭ B♭ D G♭
Fingers: 2 1 4 4

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 2nd fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 11 with 1 position shift and 1 one-fret stretch.

G|-----------7-11-|
D|-----0-4-8------|
A|---1------------|
E|-2--------------|

Notes: G♭ B♭ D G♭ B♭ D G♭
Fingers: 2 1 open 4 2 1 4

On a 5-string bass: root on the B string

Start on the 7th fret of the B string with your fourth finger. The shape covers frets 4 to 7 without moving your hand.

G|---------|
D|-------4-|
A|-----5---|
E|---6-----|
B|-7-------|

Notes: G♭ B♭ D G♭
Fingers: 4 3 2 1

Notes and intervals

Degree	Note	Interval	Frets above the root
1	G♭	Root	0
3	B♭	Major 3rd	4
♯5	D	Augmented 5th	8

When to use it

Augmented chords and passing chords between I and IV. Slide the whole shape up four frets and you get the same three notes again.

How to practise it

Start with the metronome at 60 BPM in 8th notes, ascending and descending, until you can play it without looking. Raise the tempo 5 BPM at a time with the speed builder, then switch on memory mode so the tab hides after the first loop. Earn bronze for playing it through, silver at 4 notes a second, and gold at that speed from memory.

The augmented triad in every key

Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF